Jorgen Skjelvik is in his first year in MLS and Michael Ciani is in his first full season with the Galaxy after joining the club in September.

It has taken some time, but the new center back pairing could finally be finding the chemistry needed to be a successful duo.

“We needed time to know each other,” Ciani said. “Now we understand each other. We have to speak more and now I know how he plays and he knows how I play, so we’re good now.

“He’s young, he’s fast, but he needed to have someone with experience next to him, so that’s what I’m trying to bring on the pitch.”

The partnership has helped the Galaxy record consecutive 1-0 wins heading into Wednesday night’s meeting with FC Dallas at 7:30 p.m. at StubHub Center (Spectrum SportsNet).

Skjelvik joined the Galaxy this season from Roseborg BK in Norway, so much like Ciani last season, Skjelvik had to get acclimated quickly.

“We’re starting to trust each other more and that helps a lot,” Skjelvik said. “Every team plays a different way. You face all kind of players, some big, strong fast guys, some technical players, so you have to be ready for everything and the variation from team to team.”
Galaxy defender Michael Ciani falls as he goes after the ball with Portland’s Fanendo Adi on March 4 at StubHub Center. (Mark J. Terrill/The Associated Press)

Ciani played in six games last season after concluding a career in Europe that included stints in Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1 and Spain’s La Liga.

The Galaxy has struggled defensively this season, so any positive stretch where the unit isn’t conceding goals, is a welcome sight for Sigi Schmid.

“When you win games, that always helps your momentum and confidence,” Schmid said. “So those are positive things for us. We’re happy that we’ve played to zero both of the games. Confidence, solid defending, all makes it a little bit better.

“They’ve been able to play a number of games together and that understanding, all of that helps. The more familiarity of them understanding, ‘This is the type of ball this guy wants,’ that’s something that you know. Jorgen is learning the league, he’s adjusting to the league. Same thing for Ciani. Our league is a little bit different. It’s comparable to France in terms of pace of some of the strikers up front, but I think we’re done a really good job tactically.”

Ibrahimovic available

After sitting out Saturday’s game against San Jose to serve a one-game suspension due to a red card, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be available for Schmid and the Galaxy on Wednesday night.

As of Monday, Schmid said that the club hadn’t heard whether or not the MLS Disciplinary Committee would extend the suspension. The club received word Tuesday that he was cleared.

The incident took place in the May 21 game at Montreal when Ibrahimovic struck Montreal’s Michael Petrasso and was given a red card after video review.

U.S. Open Cup fixture added

After Saturday’s game against Portland, the Galaxy will begin its U.S. Open Cup schedule June 6 at home in the track and field stadium against FC Golden State Force at 7:30 p.m.

FC DALLAS (5-1-5, 20 points) at L.A. GALAXY (5-6-1, 16 points)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at StubHub Center

TV/Radio: Spectrum SportsNet; KWKW/1330; LAGalaxy.com (English)

Update: FCD is unbeaten in its last four (2-0-2) and tied with Portland with 20 points (third place) in the Western Conference. Included in its four-game stretch is a 3-2 win over the Galaxy on May 12. That game was played at Toyota Stadium. Mauro Diaz gave the Galaxy defense fits, dictating the play and recording three assists, and Roland Lamah had a pair of goals. The Galaxy played a man up for the final 20 minutes and nearly had the equalizer as a free kick by Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the upper post in the 89th minute. FCD is also coming off a midweek game, defeating Toronto FC 1-0 on Wednesday. Ola Kamara will depart after Wednesday night’s game to join Norway for a pair of international friendlies (June 2 and 6). He will miss the June 2 Galaxy game against Portland. Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos are both with Mexico preparing for the World Cup.

Damian Calhoun is the Prep Sports Coordinator and writer for the Daily Breeze. He's also the soccer writer for the Southern California News Group, covering Major League Soccer and occasionally the U.S. national teams.